CYA: Does anybody combine CC + AP for same subject?

[Sunshine State Sue]

For example, if ds takes Calculus at CC, is it a good idea to take the Calculus AP exam for colleges that might prefer one over the other or to show that the CC course is "acceptable"? Of course, we would have to make sure to supplement anything CC doesn't teach that would be on the AP exam. I think there are ways to figure that out.

 

Seems to me that this would be a less expensive route (CC is free here in high school) than say PA Homeschoolers.

 

Calculus was the only AP I ever took. I wonder what else I could match up at CC for APs.

 

Thanks for sharing your insight, experience, and wisdom.

[Piano&ViolinMom]

For example, if ds takes Calculus at CC, is it a good idea to take the Calculus AP exam for colleges that might prefer one over the other? ......CC is free here in high school.

 

My son was in ps until 8th. Last year he started homeschool as a 9th. He took Calculus courses (1, 2, 3) in college. Without any special reason( to take or not to take), but he took AP Calculus test anyway and gained score 5. Well, you are really lucky to live in a state where you can access CC free. Take an advantage in learning, and do not be afraid to take AP tests after.

[Kareni]

Other classes that might match up to a greater or lesser degree would be:

 

US History

European History

World History

Government (both US and Comparative)

foreign languages

Statistics

 

I'm sure there are more. You'd definitely want to see how the college course compares to the AP test.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Jenn in CA]

For example, if ds takes Calculus at CC, is it a good idea to take the Calculus AP exam for colleges that might prefer one over the other or to show that the CC course is "acceptable"? Of course, we would have to make sure to supplement anything CC doesn't teach that would be on the AP exam. I think there are ways to figure that out.

 

Seems to me that this would be a less expensive route (CC is free here in high school) than say PA Homeschoolers.

 

Calculus was the only AP I ever took. I wonder what else I could match up at CC for APs.

 

Thanks for sharing your insight, experience, and wisdom.

 

Your student would get college credit for calculus and credit for the same material for AP so why would you want to bother with taking the AP test? Wouldn't it be the same as taking calculus (or whatever) twice?

 

As far as learning goes, I think it's better to take CC classes and really learn the material at a college level, than to test out of them via AP, and be overwhelmed in college. That was my experience w/AP. I received credit for 1 year of college French via AP, but couldn't hack the 2nd year class. Although of course, the units were nice to have and I graduated earlier.

 

But I had a lot to learn about college my freshman year!

Edited September 15, 2009 by Jenn in CA

[Sunshine State Sue]

Your student would get college credit for calculus and credit for the same material for AP so why would you want to bother with taking the AP test? Wouldn't it be the same as taking calculus (or whatever) twice?

It is my understanding that not all universities will accept CC credits and not all universities with accept AP credits. This way, if they accept one but not the other, ds would be covered. At least that's my reasoning.

[Jenn in CA]

Ah, good point.

 

Maybe the best thing would be to check the schools your child might go to. As far as accepting credits, accepting a class as a high-school equivalent vs. as transferable credits is two different issues too.

 

For ex. Caltech doesn't accept any transfer credits, but they would accept a CC calc class to meet a high school math req. So a student won't get college credit for it but he would get high school credit.

[Home'scool]

It might depend on the class.

 

My daughter took an online AP World History class, and a lot of it was about HOW to write the essays that are on the AP exam. They are structured very very specifically and a CC class would not cover that. The student would miss out on points if they were not aware of the structure and just wrote for content.

 

If you knew that upfront, though, you could get an AP review book and go over the format.

[Sunshine State Sue]

It might depend on the class.

 

My daughter took an online AP World History class' date=' and a lot of it was about HOW to write the essays that are on the AP exam. They are structured very very specifically and a CC class would not cover that. The student would miss out on points if they were not aware of the structure and just wrote for content.

 

If you knew that upfront, though, you could get an AP review book and go over the format.[/quote']

Thank you! That is an excellednt point. Is there a way to tell which of the AP tests have essays? Unfortunately, ds takes after me and avoids writing like the plague. I'm not convinced that will change during high school, although I intend to make sure he has plenty of opportunity to grow. ;)

[Gwen in VA]

I think it's better to take CC classes and really learn the material at a college level, than to test out of them via AP, and be overwhelmed in college.

 

That depends on the kid! Some kids may be overwhelmed their freshman year of college; some kids may be thankful to skip the freshman courses and do wonderfully in the more advanced classes.

 

It is my understanding that not all universities will accept CC credits and not all universities with accept AP credits.

 

Definitely! The college my kids go to accepts NO CC credits. Period. Thankfully they did AP instead. But some colleges accept CC and not AP credit, and some don't give any credit at all.

 

Know your kid. Know a bit about where your kid is headed. And make the best decision with the data available!

[Sandra in NC]

Unfortunately, ds takes after me and avoids writing like the plague. I'm not convinced that will change during high school, although I intend to make sure he has plenty of opportunity to grow. ;)

 

She can take the CLEP in Calculus. It is a 45 question, 90 minute, multiple choice exam with no essay. In NC, this CLEP is accepted by all state schools. The CLEP can be taken at any age and scores are good for 20 years. (Yes, any age: I've heard of 9 year old students passing CLEPs!)

 

I'd recommend researching your colleges to see if they accept it. Use the College Board's Find a College tool

On the SAT/AP/CLEP page, you'll see the scores required for CLEP credit.

 

Another good source for information is here.

 

Often, a school will require the equivalent of a "C" on the CLEP exam for credit, while at the same time requiring a "B" on AP. I've found one school that accepts CLEP in (Microeconomics), but not AP. So you can throw CLEP into the CYA pool...maybe take both the AP and CLEP?

 

Sandra

Edited September 16, 2009 by Sandra in NC
typo

[K-FL]

RE: the CLEPs, if Sue's dc stay in state for U, they'll accept all cc classes so that would be redundant. The state schools are all equal & the in-state privates seem to follow suit.

 

I think the only advantage of doing AP's on top of the cc class is if your dc was considering (really, truly) an Ivey or top-tier school. The AP exam is about $85 & time spent (prep & the test day). It may be worth it to you, but it isn't for us. With the Bright Futures $$ & FL Access Grants, & matriculation it's worth it to stay in-state.

[Sunshine State Sue]

She can take the CLEP in Calculus. It is a 45 question, 90 minute, multiple choice exam with no essay. In NC, this CLEP is accepted by all state schools. The CLEP can be taken at any age and scores are good for 20 years. (Yes, any age: I've heard of 9 year old students passing CLEPs!)

 

I will admit that I know very little about the CLEP, but I get the sense that it is not as "prestigious" as an AP. I need to learn more about CLEP and SAT Subject tests and why you might want them. I don't think they were around when I went to college.

 

I have no idea where ds may go, but if I got to choose, the university he would attend does not accept CLEP.

[Gwen in VA]

The SAT subject tests were around at least by the late 70's.

[Sunshine State Sue]

The SAT subject tests were around at least by the late 70's.

Well, I was going to say I'm not THAT old, but then I realized I started college in 1979. :eek:

[Nan in Mass]

The SAT2s were called Achievement tests. Did you take those? I did. There were test prep books for them, too. Most of my high school took PSATs, SATs, and Achievements. Those who took calc senior year took an Advanced Placement test, too. I think it was the only AP offered at the time. A few of us took college classes. It was pretty similar to now.

[Sunshine State Sue]

The SAT2s were called Achievement tests. Did you take those?

I only remember taking AP Calculus.